NOWATA, OKLAHOMA
Beginning Monday, September 21, 2026, City of Nowata crews will begin removing cemetery decorations and items that remain in violation of the City's cemetery ordinances. The City is providing this as a final notice and encourages families to remove and retain any items they wish to keep before that date.
The City understands that cemetery lots are deeply personal places where families honor and remember their loved ones. We recognize that many decorations have sentimental value and are meaningful expressions of love and remembrance. We are committed to approaching this process with care and respect.
At the same time, the City has a responsibility to maintain the cemetery grounds in a safe, accessible, and manageable manner for families, visitors, and cemetery crews.
The City recognizes that cemetery decorations can take many forms and that not every individual type of decoration can be specifically listed in an ordinance. The ordinance includes broader categories, including “structures,” so an item does not necessarily need to be individually named to fall within a prohibited category.
Families are encouraged to use the remaining time before September 21 to personally remove and retain any decorations or items that may be subject to removal and have special meaning to them.
The City emphasizes that this effort is not intended to diminish the importance of honoring or remembering loved ones.
Rather, consistent enforcement of the existing standards will allow cemetery crews to maintain the grounds more effectively and help ensure the cemetery remains a respectful, accessible, and well-maintained place for generations to come.
This enforcement decision has been made by the City of Nowata Cemetery Board.
Questions, concerns, or feedback regarding the cemetery may be directed to the Cemetery Board at cemeteryboard@nowataok.gov.
The City of Nowata sincerely appreciates the community's understanding, cooperation, and continued care for our cemetery and the loved ones who rest there.
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City of Nowata Ordinances Relating to Cemetery
SECTION 11-115 — NO CURBS, TREES, BUSHES OR STRUCTURES PERMITTED
The placing of curbs, trees, bushes, structures, benches, or statues around cemetery lots—other than the original markers or its replacement around or upon cemetery lots—is prohibited, except by the City Cemetery Caretaker. Foot markers will be allowed so long as they are flush with the ground. All flat markers are required to have a minimum of a four-inch (4") concrete apron around said marker.
SECTION 11-116 — DEEDS TO HAVE PROVISION THAT NO CURBS, TREES, BUSHES OR STRUCTURES ARE PERMITTED
All cemetery deeds shall have written or printed therein a provision that no curbs, trees, bushes, structures, benches or statues are permitted to be constructed or placed around cemetery lots.
SECTION 11-117 — CARETAKER TO REMOVE CURBS, TREES, BUSHES, STRUCTURES, BENCHES OR STATUES CONSTRUCTED OR PLACED AROUND CEMETERY LOTS
The Caretaker of the City Cemetery is hereby authorized and directed to remove any curbs, trees, bushes, structures, benches or statues placed around any lots in the City Cemetery in violation of this Chapter.
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